Instruction device



Oct. 27, l925- B. RICHTER INSTRUCTION DEVICE Filed June 10, 1925 Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES BENJAMIN RICHTER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

INSTRUCTION DEVICE.

Application filed June 10, 1925. Serial No. 36,152.

To all 'whom it may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIXl lticii'rnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Instruction Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in instruction devices and is more particularly directed to a device for instructing one to play golf, or, in fact, to engage in any activity wherein correct posture, or form, is essential.

The object of the invention is to provide a mirror that may be placed in front of the performerin such position that he'can readily see his image, and in juxtaposition with the mirror pictures are arranged showing the correct postures for successive movements. When the device is used as a golf instructor these pictures will illustrate the back-stroke and the follow-through for each stroke commonly used. The simplicity of the device together with its additional advantages will be better apparent from a detailed description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Q Figure 1 is a pictorial view of a player taking his back-stroke with' a mashie and having the instruction device in front of him for guidance; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 represents a plate having markings to guide the player in assuming the correct stance.

Referring to the drawings F represents a fra-mc having three panels 1, 2, and 3, into the middle panel 2 of which a mirror 4 is fitted, said mirror being slightly convexed so as to reflect an image considerably smaller than the object.

The upper cross-bars 5, and 5 of panels 1 and 3 are provided with slots 6 and 6 respectively, and the lower cross-liars 7 and 7 of said panels are each respectvely provided With grooves 8 and 8 The mullions 9, 9 of panel 1 are provided with grooves 10, 10 on their inner surfaces, said grooves being in a common plane and communicating with the slot 6.and groove 8. The mullions 11, 11 of panel 3 are provided with grooves 12, 12 on their inner surfaces, said grooves being in a common plane and communicating with slot 6 and groove 8. A

card 13 containing a picture (illustrating in the present case the follow-through of the stroke) is passed through thc slot 6 and inserted in grooves 7, and 10, 10, and a card 14 also containing a picture (illustrating the back-stroke) is passed through slot 6 and inserted in grooves 7 and 12, 12.

The frame F has feet 15, 15 on its lower edge and has a hinged prop 16 secured to the center of the back near the. top thereof in order that it may be stood in a. substantially upright position.

It is understood that in using the device as a golf instructor the pictures positioned in panels 1 and 3 are in all instances complementary, i. e., they illustrate the` backstroke and follow-through respectively of a technically correct golf:` stroke. For every recognized stroke such as thedrive from the tee, brassie shot, pitch, approach and putt there are two pictures, one of which illustrates the back-stroke and the other the follow-through. vThereore, av player, in practising any given stroke, first places the pictures illustrating such stroke in therespective panels 1 and 3, and then stands before the mirror 4 so as to see his image therein, when he is in position to compare his stance as reflected in the mirror with the corresponding illustration. Obviously, the pictures are of the opposite hand to that of the player-so they will correspondwith the reversed image in the mirror. For example, for a right-hand player, the illustrative pictures will be left-hand, and vice versa.

In order that the player can assume the correct stance a plate 17, with foot-prints 18, 18 marked on it, may be provided, and the player in assuming his position places his feet Within the margins of the res ective prints 18. A center line 19-is pre erably marked on the plate as well as a guide line 2O to guide the player in directing the head of the club on the stroke. For indoor practicing these markings may be imprinted directly on the floor.

While I have designed the instruction device primarily for golf instruction, it is apparent that it is valuable for instruction in any other form of bodily activity, in which may be included esthetic dancing. In short, the device is valuable in assisting one to acquire correct form and posture in any form of athletic endeavor.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device for instructing posture, a

frame,amirrortherein,apanel immediately through postures respectively of a given adjacent to each side 'of the mirror, and golf stroke. cards removably positioned in said panels, 3. In a device for instructing golf, a lsaid cards containing eompleuwntary illus- .frame comprising three juxtaposed panels, 1I trations of posture, a reducing mirror in the center panel, and

2. In a device for instructing golf, a a card in each panel adjacent thereto, said frame, a mirror therein, a panel immediately vards containing illustrations depicting comadjacent to each side of the mirror, and a plementary golf postures for a given stroke. card removably positioned in each panel, In testimony whereof-I hereunto aiiix my 20 said cards containing illustrations representsignature.

ing the back-stroke posture and follow- BENJAMN RTCHTER. 

